Category: Bible

P.U.S.H. prayers

February 16, 2025

In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a story of the persistent widow who constantly pleads her case before an unjust judge. She pleads so much that the judge says this woman is driving me crazy and he ruled in her favour!

Jesus then relates this to our prayers before the Father. In verses 6-7 He says, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. [7] Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”

Jesus is reminding us that sometimes we need to push through with our prayers. We need to persist in our petitions for ourselves and our intercessions for others like the widow before the judge. Jesus promises that the Father will hear us and bring justice.

One acronym I find helpful is P.U.S.H…

Pray

Until

Something

Happens

Sometimes we need to fast and pray all day or even for a few days before breakthrough comes. At other times we need to keep things before the Lord for months and pray every morning or night before we see breakthrough. I have experienced both.

So if you have a big issue you are concerned about at the moment, I would encourage you to take it before the Lord in prayer. Be like the persistent widow and PUSH it before Him day and night. Jesus promises the Father will hear your prayers and bring justice.

Jesus appeared to Mary first

February 14, 2025

Mark 16:9 NLT – After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Some people I have spoken to over the years have said they are not worthy to be saved because of how they have lived their lives. They have said even God would accept me.

In the above verse we see that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. She had lived a questionable life and even had seven demons.

If anyone felt unworthy of Jesus’ love it would be Mary. But Jesus met her where she was at and cast out her seven demons. She was a changed person.

Mary became a follower of Jesus and she was one of the people who went to anoint His body with spices after His death. She went with Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome.

I love that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was Mary. A demon possessed outcast who was transformed by His love and His healing. Her life would never be the same.

If you feel unworthy of God’s love today, I want to say that God has a special love for those who have gone astray. The Bible is filled with people who started off on the wrong path, but found God’s love and healing in Jesus.

If this is you, why not turn to Him today? He is a prayer away and waiting for you with His arms out stretched towards you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am sorry for the way I have lived my life. I ask for a new fresh start today. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin. I give my life to You today. I want to follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Please bring healing to my heart and soul. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit to strengthen me. Cast out anything that is not of You. I ask in Your name, Amen.

For more information please visit my finding salvation page and my discipleship page.

To be a Christian book

February 12, 2025

I just received a hard copy of a book I have been reading. I had been reading the PDF version and found it to be a great resource, so I decided to add it to my physical library.

To be a Christian is a catechism style book that has over 360 questions and answers. It touches on all areas of our faith as Christians. I wish I had something like this as a new Christian, it would have been really helpful.

Here is an example question and answer about Jesus…

  1. Who is Jesus Christ?
    Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the Savior of the world. Fully divine, he took on our human nature, died on the Cross for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now rules as Lord and King over all creation. (Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 110; John 3:13–15; Philippians 2:5–11; Colossians 1:15–20)

I really love that it has a short answer that you could memorise and it has all the Bible references that you can look up.

Here is a description from the publisher…

Catechesis is an ancient practice of Christian disciple making that uses a simple question-and-answer format to instruct new believers and church members in the core beliefs of Christianity. To Be a Christian, by J. I. Packer and a team of other Anglican leaders, was written to renew this oft-forgotten tradition for today’s Christians. With over 360 questions and answers, plus Scripture references to support each teaching, this catechism covers the full range of Christian doctrine and life, drawing from the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and other important doctrinal summaries. Clear, concise, and conversational, this resource was written for all believers who seek to be grounded more deeply in the truth of God’s Word.

I downloaded a free PDF copy from here, and then purchased a hard back copy from Koorong.com here.

The family of God

February 9, 2025

John 1:12 NLT – But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

The Bible tells us we become children of God when we believe in who Jesus is and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We become His children and a part of His eternal family. This means we join every person who has accepted Jesus in the last 2000 years!

When we accept Jesus we become part of the communion of saints that the Apostle’s Creed talks about. We are brothers and sisters with those alive today and those who have already gone to heaven.

God’s eternal family is big, very big. But the good news is there is room for more. The Bible tells us that God is being patient so every last person can make it in. He does not want any one to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you can pray the prayer below.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. In Your Name. Amen

For more information please visit my finding salvation page and my discipleship page.

What is temptation?

January 26, 2025

I am reading a book called, “To be a Christian” that is in a form of question and answer Catechism for growing in our faith.

I am up to the section on temptation on page 77. I really like the way it addresses key questions, has a short answer with lots of Bible references. Below is a sample…

  1. What is temptation?
    Temptation is any enticement to turn from faith in God and to violate his commandments. (Proverbs 1:8–19; James 1:14–15)
  2. What are the sources of temptation?
    I am tempted by the false promises of the world, the selfish desires of my flesh, and the lies of the devil, all of which war against God and my spiritual well-being. (Genesis 3:1–8; Proverbs 30:7–9; Mark 7:15; James 1:13; 1 John 2:15–17)
  3. What help do you seek from God in the face of temptation?
    I ask God to increase my faith to trust him, enliven my conscience to fear him, soften my heart to love him, and strengthen my will to obey him, that I may resist evil and stand in the face of temptation. (Proverbs 2; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:31–32; 1 Corinthians 10:12–14; James 4:5–10)
  4. Does God lead you into temptation?
    No. God never tempts anyone, nor is he the cause of any sin; but he does allow me to be tested so that I may grow in faith and obedience. (Genesis 22:1–18; Job 1:6–12; Psalm 11:4–5; Proverbs 17:3; Matthew 4:1; James 1:12–15)
  5. What are ways to guard against temptation?
    As I abide in Christ, I can guard against temptation by praying for protection and strength, confessing my sins, recalling God’s Word, avoiding tempting situations, and seeking the support of fellow Christians. (Genesis 39:7–12; Psalm 119:9–11; Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 14:38; Romans 13:11–14; Ephesians 6:13–18; 1 Peter 4:1–2, 7)

I really love the question and answer format. I can see it would be a useful devotional and discipleship tool to help us learn and grow in our faith.

It is available online to purchase in paperback or hardback. I got a PDF copy from here.

(Image: Carolyn Dyk/Wycliffe Bible Translators)